TechBuzz: Netflix Is Changing Their Rating System

If you’re used to getting specific with your Netflix ratings (five stars for Stranger Things, of course) you’re going to have to get acclimated to some changes coming your way.

Your favorite way to binge watch TV/waste an entire Sunday will soon ditch its star rating system in favor of the less expressive “ thumbs up or thumbs down” method.

Netflix VP of Product Todd Yellin explained that after extensive testing “The thumbs got 200% more ratings than the traditional star rating feature.” The other issue? Apparently we have a hard time gauging which shows are actually deserving of stars.

For example, you watch a mindless movie when you’re sick in bed one day. It made you laugh, but do you feel it was worthy of five stars? Eh. Yet a more serious documentary somehow seems to have earned that extra star, even if it wasn’t necessarily any better than the light-hearted content you enjoyed just as much (though maybe you wouldn’t go bragging about on social media.) Hence the introduction of the thumbs up/thumbs down method. Simpler, cleaner, more user engagement.
What do you think of the new Netflix ratings system? Let us know in the comments!

Lauren Levine is a freelance writer who has contributed to publications and websites including The Huffington Post, Hello Giggles, Bustle, Thought Catalog, The Charlotte Observer, U.S. News & World Report, and others. She’s also the co-host of The Margarita Confessionals podcast. Say hi on Twitter, @lifewithlauren1.